we move

A first push towards UTO

At 2016 Innotrans, automatic train operation (ATO) or even unmanned train operation (UTO) was one of the hot topics of discussion.

What currently is done in the automotive industry can be done as well in the railway world: vehicles run from the origin to the destination without a human person steering. This means that sensors are collecting information about the path and are acting upon these inputs.

Advantages of UTO

It is safer: it acts immediately after a signal or a moving block demands a stop – much faster than any person could ever do

It saves energy: the driving along the track can be optimized for energy consumption, avoiding e.g. stop and go due to red signals

It reduces operation costs by reducing the number of train drivers

Disadvantages of UTO

There is no trained person on board that could do easy fixes on the machinery

It is very costly to install: i.e. ETCS level 2 or similar measures have to be taken into consideration

Liabilities need to be clearly shared between the manufacturer, OEM and maintenance organization

It potentially increased operation costs in particular in maintenance and operation surveillance

Who is a potential supplier of UTO

Traditionally, we can expect that the signaling suppliers will develop and market UTO technology and sell their products. These include certainly:

Alstom Transportation, which has lots of experience with driverless metros

GE Transportation, which is focusing on driverless diesel locomotives

Bombardier Transportation, has also experience in driverless metros

Thales, a large signalling supplier

Siemens Mobility, has also experience in driverless closed systems and is pursuing several UTO mainline trials

Hitachi Rail, has through its subsidiary Ansaldo STS soon a trial in Australia running

However, I would not be surprised to see new companies soon on the list, even with more innovative approaches.

Where is UTO already in operation

In closed systems, such as metros or even light rail, we see UTO already in operation for decades. These example show that it can be implemented, although at a high cost. The first trials on ETCS2 equipped mainline are meanwhile ongoing and will most likely show their feasibility soon.